People
Grateful for a New Start
Sean has been clean and sober for more than 560 days. It’s a milestone he celebrates daily as he continues to live his life to the fullest. He is grateful for the way in which his life has turned around.
“The real difference is in how I feel,” he says. “It’s not just about the number of sober days I’ve accumulated, but about the sense of calm and clarity that comes with feeling sober.”
He attributes his success to the support he’s received from various places including Communitas. Sean receives support through the Supported Independent Living (SIL) services. Sean meets weekly with his mental health worker, Brian, who helps Sean set and maintain his goals.
“We go grocery shopping, get out to Mill Lake for walks, meet with friends, and all kinds of other things,” Sean says. “It makes a difference having someone to talk to about my mental health.”
Brian has seen Sean thrive in the year that they’ve been working together. He says one of the positive things in Sean’s life is his supportive family.
“Sean is very close to his mom and has a very close-knit family,” Brian says. “I think that’s why Sean is so open and kind to people.”
It wasn’t always like this for Sean. As a young person, he was introduced to marijuana and soon found that it was taking over his life. It had an impact on his physical as well as his mental health. He became hyper focused on his next hit.
“For a long time, my life was dictated by the countdown to payday. Every day felt like a struggle to make ends meet, and my focus was solely on getting by,” Sean recalls. “But with the support I’ve received through this program, everything has changed. From the moment I started, I knew I was in good hands.”
Today, Sean is no longer counting down the days until he can afford basic necessities. Instead, he says he’s able to enjoy the simple things in life: good food, clean clothes, and moments of personal relief. He lives with his mom and is grateful for the time they spend together. He also spends time with his niece and nephew, which he thoroughly enjoys. All of this is possible because of the support he’s received through SIL, support that he describes as “unwavering.”
“Their guidance, patience, and understanding have been instrumental in helping me navigate challenges and achieve my goals,” Sean says. “They’ve helped me develop skills and confidence that I never thought possible.”
Sean is grateful for the newfound freedom and trust he’s received, saying that it has allowed him to focus on his well-being and pursue his goals with renewed purpose.
“I just want to say thank you for believing in me and helping me reach new heights,” Sean says. “I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
Related Stories
Artist Creates Unique Colouring Book
Kara-Lyn Loewen has used her talents to create a unique colouring book. Find out how you can get your copy today!
Keeping It Clean
If you’ve noticed that the litter on your street has been picked up, the errant shopping cart is no longer on your lawn or the broken streetlight has been repaired, you might have Shane Toy to thank for that.
On the Path to Wellness
Brian and Micah feel it is important for the church to talk about mental illness and create safe places for people to share their stories